NEW BRUNSWICK — Route 18 in both directions is now open in New Brunswick.

John Ferguson, the acting director of the Middlesex County Office of Emergency Management, said the highway reopened late Monday night after officials saw that the Raritan River receded and no more water was spilling onto the highway. State transportation crews were able to clean up the water left and remove the mud.

Ferguson said the state of emergency declared by the county freeholders on Sunday was lifted at 8 a.m. this morning.

"Now we have to assess the damage and see what we have throughout the county," Ferguson said.

Route 18 was closed Sunday after the rapidly rising river overflowed its banks and flooded the highway and the townhouses along the southbound side. The waters went up to Neilson Street. Residents were evacuated at 3 a.m. and brought to Lord Stirling School, the shelter set up by the city for evacuees.